Matti Friedman of the Associated Press published news about a recent excavation in the City of David in Jerusalem, near the Gihon Spring. The excavation revealed an interesting set of markings carved into the stone floor of a room, and expert archeologists cannot determine what their meaning or use was. The markings consist of three “V” marks, or perhaps gammadia “Γ,” although one is inverted from the other two, plus a straight line mark. They date to about 800 B.C.
None of the experts are even guessing at what these marks were use for, or why they’re there; “no one… has any idea.” The report does venture some speculation, however,
“They might have had a ritual function or one that was entirely mundane… The purpose of the complex is part of the riddle. The straight lines of its walls and level floors are evidence of careful engineering, and it was located close to the most important site in the city, the spring, suggesting it might have had an important function. A unique find in a room beside the one with the markings -- a stone like a modern grave marker, which was left upright when the room was filled in -- might offer a clue. Such stones were used in the ancient Middle East as a focal point for ritual or a memorial for dead ancestors, the archaeologists say… But the ritual stone does not necessarily mean the whole complex was a temple. It might simply have marked a corner devoted to religious practice in a building whose purpose was commonplace.”
It’ll be interesting to see what they discover further about these strange markings. They remind me of some similar stone markings I saw a few years ago that date from a completely different time and place, found on the exterior wall of a very old church in Toledo, Spain. I took a picture, below.
7 Comments
Interesting article. Nice to hear scientists admitting that they don’t know all the answers. To presume that we understand everything about the “ancients” is a bit arrogant. Lets hold off on hasty conclusions until all the reports are in.
These markings make me say ‘hmmm’ Very interesting. Your personal photo is also very interesting. Thanks for posting.
I saw this article on Yahoo about the markings about a week ago and I thought…..that looks interesting.
Scientists admit on a regular basis they don’t have all the answers…
That said, whatever the message is, must have been important at the time – I can’t imagine carving stone was for the faint-hearted. I hope they figure it out.
I think it was to set something in to keep it secure. It had a different kind of base but that’s what I think. Something fit into it and they did not want it to slide around the room..
Grooves to keep something from sliding? Sorry, but there are MUCH more practical ways to do that–notch, notch, notch, done.
And besides, this it STONE. Just stick another stone on top of it and it isn’t going anywhere. No, those marks had a much more specific use. In that room. Near a spring. So that water could be re-directed there when necessary.
Actually, Eric, this was probably built by stone cutters — notches like this would have not been an issue.
And the “hold something secure” thought is the first thing that popped into my head as well. They’re not letters with a meaning, I think, they are slots where the base of something fit into, with additional slots for other things as well. I’d think the depth and such might be an indication of the value of the “something” being held in place, but that’s just my imagination.
BTW, there are explanations for the room, just not things that “scientists” would keep up with.